Israel strikes Gaza after accusing Hamas of ‘blatant’ violation of ceasefire in first major test of US-brokered truce

By Tal Shalev, Mostafa Salem, Oren Liebermann, and Ibrahim Dahman

(CNN) — Israel carried out several strikes on Gaza Sunday after saying its troops came under fire from militants in a “blatant” violation of the ceasefire, the first major test of the US-brokered truce.

An Israeli military official said Hamas attacked Israeli forces in Rafah with rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire, prompting Israel to carry out strikes in the area.

Hamas fired towards Israeli forces beyond the Yellow Line – the line behind which Israeli troops have withdrawn according to the ceasefire deal – in three separate incidents Sunday, according to another military official.

One source familiar with the incident in Rafah said Israeli forces had suffered casualties. The incident occurred behind the Yellow Line.

Hospitals and witnesses reported at least eight people were killed in Israeli strikes in several parts of Gaza.

Both sides have accused each other of violating the truce since it began nine days ago, bringing to an end to months of fighting and allowing the release of Israeli hostages, as well as Palestinian prisoners and detainees. But Sunday’s incidents are the most serious yet.

Hamas said in a statement Sunday that it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement. Its military wing, Al Qassam Brigades (AQB), denied knowledge of “any events or clashes” in Rafah and said they are committed to the truce “throughout all areas of the Gaza Strip.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security consultation with defense minister Israel Katz and military chiefs on Sunday, instructing them to “act forcefully” against “terrorist targets” in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had carried out airstrikes and artillery fire in Rafah, destroying Hamas infrastructure.

“Hamas will pay a heavy price for every shooting and violation of the ceasefire, and if the message is not understood, the intensity of our responses will continue to increase,” Katz said in a statement.

Netanyahu faces pressure to respond to any violations from far-right parties supporting his coalition, with the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, calling on him to resume the war in Gaza “in full force.”

Amid the renewed strikes, the AQB said it found the body of another Israeli hostage during ongoing search operations, “and will hand it over today if field conditions permit.”

The AQB warned that any escalation by the Israeli military would “hinder search, excavation, and the recovery of bodies.”

Hamas clashes with rivals

While much is unknown about the incident in Rafah, it occurred on Sunday morning as Hamas said its internal Rada’a security force was targeting a “hideout” of an Israel-backed militia led by Yasser Abu Shabab. In June, Israel confirmed it was arming several such militias in an attempt to counter Hamas.

Muhammad Shehada, a Gaza expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said these militias now operate from within Israeli-occupied areas in Gaza from which they “descend on the other half of Gaza, carry out attacks, then go run back to those protected areas.”

Since the ceasefire began last week, Hamas has carried out what it has called a “security campaign” aimed at “collaborators, mercenaries, thieves, bandits, and those cooperating with the Zionist enemy throughout the Gaza Strip.”

The internal clashes have created a volatile security situation in the battered enclave with violence erupting between Hamas and rival groups in several areas across Gaza, including an incident that culminated in an apparent public execution of eight people in a square in Gaza City while large crowds were watching.

Sunday’s incident brought further strain to the ceasefire, with the next steps still unresolved.

Israel has shot and killed Palestinians it accused of approaching the Yellow Line, in what Hamas has called a “flagrant violation” of the ceasefire commitments. Israel has also accused Hamas of delaying the return of all of the deceased hostages held in Gaza as required by the deal, and has closed a key border crossing until further notice.

Hamas has returned 12 of the 28 bodies of deceased hostages in line with the ceasefire agreement with Israel, which went into effect last week. All 12 have now been formally identified.

This story has been updated with additional information and context.

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